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PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Patrick Manning, the longest serving parliamentarian in Trinidad and Tobago, may have brought down the curtains on his political career, when he failed to show up for screening, by his People’s National Movement (PNM) party, to contest the seat he has held since 1971 in the upcoming general election.
Manning, 67, who is recovering from a stroke that left him partly paralysed, had earlier told supporters of San Fernando East, that he was prepared to be their representative and would present himself for screening by the party.
“The advice that I needed to get I now have. In case of the Washington doctor, she said, I had made tremendous strides but, unfortunately, I was not completely healed as yet.
“In the case of my doctor in San Fernando, he said, my suitability for politics depended on me and me only,” he added.
However, on Monday, Manning was a no show and the party selected attorney, Randall Mitchell, as its flag bearer in the election that could be held before the constitutional deadline month of September.
“During the course of the screening it came to us that Mr. Manning told the vice-chairman that he would not be coming for the screening,” PNM general secretary, Ashton Ford, said, on television Tuesday.
He said, he hoped Manning, whom he described as a stalwart, would continue to make a contribution to the development of the party.
Manning, a geologist by profession, was the country’s fourth prime minister, who served from 1991-95 and 2001-10.
But he led the PNM into defeat when he called a snap general election in May 2010.
Manning’s chances of being the PNM’s candidate for the San Fernando East seat, improved significantly late last month after the party rejected the three candidates that had been proposed, giving the constituency until February 6 to name new candidates.
“If you wish to have me as your parliamentary representative then I am prepared to do so… and I [will] make myself available for screening,” Manning said then.
